Assembling, Walking, Listening & Reading

The heat went on this morning. I don’t mind telling you, I was shocked!

NO! I’m not ready yet, thank you very much.

Yesterday was gorgeous, a simply lovely day. We took a two-mile trail walk late in the day. Earlier in the day, I put this together:

It wasn’t hard – once I got into the rhythm of it, the construction ran very smoothly. I really love it. The wood is beautifully finished. The two holes you can see are there in case you want to hang it on the wall.

Now I’m on a furniture finding mission – that will be fun! I want to gather enough pieces together to give Little Z a choice. I’m visualizing them in a big box with his name on it, where he can reach inside and sort through them, picking what he wants on any given day.

We wrote our little letter yesterday morning and sent it off to Zachary’s school. We won’t be there for any celebration, that is happening in the next week or so. Mere and I were laughing during our phone conversation yesterday – if I know Little Z, he won’t even be listening to the letter when it’s read aloud, he’ll be thinking or doing something else entirely. That’s how he rolls.

Here’s the little Bose wireless speaker. It’s seven inches long and about 2½ inches high. Great sound! It sits on a charging station.

I finished reading Martha’s Vineyard: Isle of Dreams yesterday and I felt like I was ending a visit with a very good friend. I didn’t want it to end. Susan Branch has that wonderful, warm quality to her writing. You feel like you could plop down on a chair in her kitchen and talk the day away. That is no mean feat. Are you following along on their journey to England? They should have docked by now. I’ll have to catch up today.

Actually, we have a lot in common, Susan and I. We’re both late bloomers and we didn’t meet the loves of our lives until later in life. Both of us thought that the chances of that happening were nil. And then, when you least expect it…there he is. We’re nesters. Gardeners. Romantics. We love Fred Astaire (I used to be rather expert in all things Fred Astaire.) We love old standards and the Great American Songbook. We love birds and animals and vintage and collecting. We love old movies; many of her favorites are also my favorites.

I feel like she’s a sister I’ve never met. I bet lots of you feel the same way, because she writes about things that are important to so many of us. I’ve followed her a long time. Maybe some day, I’ll get to meet her.

P.S. If any of you are being redirected to an update Adobe Flash site, please let me know. It’s been happening on my end and my suspicion is that it’s due to an ad. I’ve also got my security guys checking into it. If it ends up being an ad, I’ll disable them until we get to the bottom of it.

Comments

I know Z will love the doll house. Can’t wait to see what kind of furniture you find. I know these items can be so pricey! I’m enjoying the cooler days but no heat needed yet! I’m ready for some Mums in the open windows!! I framed my Charlie print and will share it on my blog later today! Hope you have a lovely Friday!
hugs,
Linda

Yes, I have the same Susan Branch relationship. I guess that’s how she’s accumulated her many “girlfriends”. I also admire her many books and how she just did it, not knowing how, but knowing she wanted to do it. I’ve wanted to ‘do it’ all my life and never have. She’s amazing. But she also makes me think, “shame on me!” I think Fairytale Girl was my favorite, about her failed relationship and how she escaped with herself esteem intact, eventually.

I have the same speaker. It has a great sound. Thought my iPhone sounded good until I heard the Bose. Got my son a different model. I have 3 of the older Marx dollhouses with plastic furniture. Looking forward to what you decide on for Little Z’s house.

I have the same speaker and it does have a fabulous sound, as our other Bose products do as well. I felt the same way when I finished Susan Branch’s book. I must say Claudia that it is the same way with you. We have certainly never met, but I’m sure if I met you I would have the same relaxed feeling and I know we could sit and talk about our dogs like we knew each other forever. You generate the same genuine warmth.

Can’t wait until you get the furnishings together for Little Z’s house! You must be having fun assembling this very personal gift for him. There is so much Susan Branch talk on this blog (including the comments)….I have to get to the library to find the books!

I had forgotten about Little Z’s dollhouse…very interested to see what you do! I’m sure he will love it! I just subscribed to Susan Branch’s blog…I’m curious to follow along on her voyage. Can’t believe you turned the heat on! Isn’t that abnormally early? ;)

Susan Branch : yes, she’s all of that! She’s also been a voice of hope for me. I’ve been so disheartened with the state of our politics and the anger of our citizens this year, but reading of her journey across the USA on her book-signing tour reaffirmed the goodness and decency of ordinary people. Her account of the love she encountered brought tears to my eyes and Hope to my heart.

Hi Claudia,
I have a suggestion as to a kind of furniture for Little Z’s doll house.
A number of years ago, Little Tykes produced a doll house and furniture to go in it. The furniture is made of sturdy, colorful plastic and large enough for little hands to grasp and manipulate . It’s geared for kids four and older. Check out EBay there’s a wide variety and price range. My father-in-law made a doll house for our daughter when she was young and the house was furnished with this great stuff. Our daughter is 31and we still have the doll house and furniture.
As for Susan Branch, I own every book she has published and you are right she’s just like a sister or best friend.
Have a great weekend,
Vanessa

I just love Susan Branch. SO much. She’s a SoCalif girl originally, like me. We have similar backgrounds and like both of you, I too met my guy much later in life than I ever expected (after the kind of heartache with somebody else, just like Susan). Susan has a unique gift of renewing hope in people, looking for the positives, making a conscious choice for the life she wants to live. But she lets you know that she’s had her share of stumbles. When times are hard and confusing, she guides you into warmth and reassurance. Just so human, with a natural desire to soothe. And she’s getting better and better as a writer. Her illustrations, of course, sing to the soul; charming and a feast for the eye. I consider her a brilliant watercolor artist (and I’ve tried my hand at watercolor painting; it is NOT easy). Her ‘hand-drawn’ books are treasures; keepsakes. I refer to them often for my R&R. If you want to feel cozy, wrap yourself in a blanket, cup of tea and a cooky on the table; sink into her books. I check her blog every day; she’s had trouble doing posts from aboard ship so, yes, I think they’re about to land after their transatlantic crossing and then she’ll maybe have an easier time posting ‘from the road’ – I don’t think she’s getting back from England/Scotland til after Thanksgiving. Each blog post of hers is like its own little book; I adore her blog. I have nearly every book she’s ever written (I had to go back and find a lot of them; had to catch up once I learned she had a blog, a store, etc. – guess I’d been living in a cave!) and I start every year with her calendars, especially her desk blotter calendar. You can buy a lot of her stuff on Amazon but of course it’s also all available in her online store, which I prefer although I’ve done both. Her store staff are the best; just wonderful customer service and ease of ordering. I first learned of Susan from product sold at my local Hallmark Gold Crown store, MANY years ago; primarily the calendars. I wish I was into sewing because she sells a lot of gorgeous fabrics through another site which she’s discussed on her blog over the past months. I’m sure you know, Claudia, that she’s recently lost her father, as have you and I; we’re all in the same age group, fellow boomers…but I know she has a lot of young fans as well, and it’s now becoming multi-generational, as mothers pass on Susan-wisdom to their daughters/granddaughters. Have to add, I also enjoyed her ex-husband’s book (Cliff Branch); they’re such productive, interesting people!

For Z’s dollhouse, have you considered any of the Melissa & Doug products? I think they’re just great; so child-friendly. They have doll houses and doll house furniture. Try Amazon.

I like their stuff, but it’s not cheap, so I don’t know if outfitting four rooms is in my budget.

I saw earlier today that they had landed and were about to pick up their car. I ordered Martha’s Vineyard from her own shop and have just ordered The Heart of Home from them as well. Martha’s Vineyard got here in two days! I wrote to her when I realized her father had died and she has also just lost Girl Kitty – Just like my losing my father and Scout.

Love Susan Branch! Her books are exactly like sitting down with a friend. She is an inspiration. I love that the recipes she shares are ones she truly makes and usually shows us when she has a dinner party or friends over for lunch. I followed her last trip to England, and will this one as well. My daughter is going to London next month and I shared her blog with her, and she is planning on a trip to see the Beatrix Potter farm when she is there. Interesting to see that there are many “girlfriends” who read your blog, as well. It makes perfect sense as you are both kind and interesting people who enjoy their home and gardens! Her sweet kitty, Jack, is a hoot!!

Have fun w/ Little Z’s house. I bet he will be SO excited!! Have a wonderful rest of your Friday!

Welcome!

I live in a little cottage in the country with my husband and dog. It's a sweet place, sheltered by old trees and surrounded by gardens. The inside is full of the things we love. I love to write, I love my camera, I love creating. My decorating style is eclectic but if I had to call it anything, I'd call it Christmas in Connecticut, after all those forties movies with comfy cottage style.

I've worked in the theater for more years than I can count. I'm currently a voice, speech, dialect and text coach freelancing on Broadway, off Broadway, and in regional theater.

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